A Resolution Regarding Marijuana: Marijuana Speech #2

Read May 27^th, 2009 to the Josephine County Commissioners; updated 6/18/2010. 

WHEREAS the people of Josephine County find that they have a natural right to every seed-bearing herb, recognized in Genesis Chapter 1, as well as by Jesus and the apostles Peter and Paul;

WHEREAS this right has been violated by our federal and state governments through prohibition of cannabis, otherwise known as hemp and marijuana;

WHEREAS this prohibition is more suitable for Mormons than for a Christian nation or a nation with freedom of religion;

WHEREAS our law enforcement resources are being wasted on enforcing said prohibition, rather than laws that properly secure rights;

WHEREAS cannabis prohibition, combined with laws against dealing to minors, has caused it to be easier for children to obtain marijuana that adults, and adults to commonly buy it from teenagers;

WHEREAS unlicensed marijuana users are forced to pay black market prices for their herb, providing high profits for criminals and reducing money available to spend on legitimate products and services;

WHEREAS medical marijuana statutes create a privilege based on ill health;

WHEREAS medical marijuana statutes create plentiful opportunities for illicit profit by privileged card holders and their growers, fraud and theft against card holders, and confusion among law enforcement personnel;

WHEREAS great quantities of illicit marijuana are being grown in our national forests;

WHEREAS Josephine County’s farmers could make money growing marijuana and hemp and making hemp products on their own land;

WHEREAS many of Josephine County’s marijuana users could grow their own marijuana, freeing up their money to spend on other products and services;

WHEREAS there is no reason to treat marijuana and its users any more harshly than alcohol and its users;

WHEREAS federal laws regarding marijuana and other drugs violate the 10^th Amendment, usurping powers reserved to the states and the people;

WHEREAS the marijuana black markets in neighboring states make it unwise for Oregon to immediately recognize the rights of Oregon citizens to freely grow and sell marijuana without license or limits; and

WHEREAS the state of Oregon could take in a lot of revenue by selling marijuana through our state cannabis stores, rather than spending it on enforcing bad laws;

THEREFORE be it resolved that the Josephine County Board of Commissioners supports the passage by the legislature of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, circulating for the ballot in 2010 as Measure 73. 

This Board further resolves to support efforts in other states to liberalize their marijuana laws and to repeal federal laws regarding marijuana.